1. Design Therapeutics appointed Justin Gover to its Board of Directors. 2. Gover's extensive biotech experience could strengthen Design's strategic direction. 3. He previously led GW Pharmaceuticals through a significant acquisition. 4. Gover also serves on the board of CMPS and other biotech firms. 5. Dr. William's departure reflects a shift in Design's strategic leadership.
Justin Gover's appointment may enhance Design's credibility and growth potential, similar to how leadership changes benefited companies like Zymeworks after key appointments.
Gover's established reputation and connections in biotech enhance investor confidence for CMPS and Design.
The immediate boost in investor sentiment is expected due to Gover's reputation; similar instances often lead to short-term gains.
CARLSBAD, Calif., Sept. 10, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Design Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:DSGN), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for serious degenerative genetic diseases, today announced the appointment of industry veteran Justin Gover to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.
Mr. Gover has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the biotechnology industry. He served as the founding Chief Executive Officer of GW Pharmaceuticals plc, guiding the company for over two decades, from inception through its strategic $7 billion acquisition by Jazz Pharmaceuticals in 2021. During his tenure, GW grew into a fully integrated global biotech organization and successfully commercialized Epidiolex® (cannabidiol), which is approved in the U.S. and Europe for the treatment of childhood onset epilepsies.
As part of this transition, Dr. Arsani William, Managing Partner and Chief Investment Officer of Logos Capital, stepped down from the Board, effective September 9, 2025. Since joining in 2021, Dr. William has provided strategic counsel that has been instrumental to Design's progress, including guiding the company through its successful 2021 initial public offering, supporting the advancement of its clinical pipeline, and strengthening its governance as a public company.
"Justin brings a deep understanding of our industry and a focus on executional excellence to the Board at this important time for Design," said Pratik Shah, Ph.D., chairperson and chief executive officer of Design Therapeutics. "His proven ability to translate innovative science into important medicines, along with his experience building a world-class biotechnology company, will be invaluable as we advance our clinical pipeline. On behalf of the entire company and Board, I also want to thank Dr. William for his invaluable guidance and dedication to our mission through the years of his service."
"It has been an honor to serve on Design's Board during such an important stage of the company's evolution," said Dr. William. "I am proud of the meaningful progress the team has made in advancing the GeneTAC® platform and establishing a pipeline with the potential to transform the treatment paradigm for serious genetic diseases. I am confident the company is well-positioned to continue delivering on its mission and to make a lasting impact for patients."
"I am privileged to join Design's Board at such an exciting stage of the company's growth," said Mr. Gover. "Design's platform has the potential to address the root cause of a wide range of severe genetic diseases, and I look forward to working with the team to help realize the promise of this important approach for patients."
Mr. Gover currently serves on the boards of Compass Pathways plc (NASDAQ:CMPS) and Xenon Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:XENE) in addition to his work with nonprofit organizations including the Rady Children's Hospital Institute for Genomic Medicine and CURE Epilepsy. From 2018 to 2021, Mr. Gover served on the Board of Directors of the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO). He holds an M.B.A. from the INSEAD business school in France and a BSc (Hons) from Bristol University.
About Design Therapeutics
Design Therapeutics is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing a new class of therapies based on its platform of GeneTAC® gene targeted chimera small molecules. The company's GeneTAC® molecules are designed to either dial up or dial down the expression of a specific disease-causing gene to address the underlying cause of disease. In addition to its clinical-stage GeneTAC® programs, DT-216P2, in development for patients with Friedreich ataxia, and DT-168, for Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy, the company is advancing programs in myotonic dystrophy type-1 and Huntington's disease. Discovery efforts are underway for multiple genomic medicines. For more information, please visit designtx.com.
Contact:
Renee Leck
THRUST Strategic Communications
renee@thrustsc.com
